Battle In Berkeley To Make The City A ‘No Drone Zone’

BERKELEY (CBS SF) — A battle over drones is taking place in the city of Berkeley. One side wants them overhead, the other side wants to declare the city a ‘no drone zone’.

The Disaster and Fire Safety Commission has recommended to allow police and fire departments to use drones for emergency situations. Those situations would require approval from the city manager, a police chief or the fire chief.

Lining up in opposition is the Peace & Justice Commission and the Police Review Commission. Both bodies are asking the city to ban drones altogether in the interest of public safety and privacy.

The Berkeley City Council will consider both sides in a work session on April 29.

There have been alleged sightings of drones by residents near the UC Berkeley campus and in North Berkeley but city officials denied ever using them.